Last Saturday, after a long and hard day of work by our volunteers and by Matt Brewer of the WSR Infrastructure team, the large and heavy components of our fully-dismantled Class 14 D9518 were moved out of the Old Goods Shed. This allowed the scaffolders to start their work.
Some photos of that Herculean effort were provided by our Chairman, Martin Howard, as follows:
The WSR RRV assists with the relocation of D9518’s bonnet on 5th December 2020. Photo by Martin Howard (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
The WSR RRV doing the heavy lifting inside the Old Goods Shed on 5th December 2020. Photo by Martin Howard (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
This weekend, the webcam capture below (dated Saturday 12 December 2020) shows the new scaffolding protecting the platform from debris risk and also shows the cab structure from D9518 outside the shed and under tarpaulins for the winter.
In the foreground, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) prepares to depart for Bishops Lydeard (BL) with the return leg of the FIRST SANTA EXPRESS of the 2020 season!
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) is ready to depart from Williton with the return leg of the first SANTA EXPRESS of the 2020 season on 12th December 2020. Webcam image (c) by Railcam UK and the WSR.
Because of the need to run strictly to time to ensure that the Covid-19 precautions at BL are as effective as possible, the first SANTA EXPRESS of the day is “top-n-tailed” to make light work of the climbs to Crowcombe Heathfield, even on a wet and slippery railhead.
The ‘Crompton’ is seen in the below web capture returning the special to BL, after which she came off the train and went to Westridge shed to stand-by in case she was needed later in the day (she wasn’t). Note that a traction engine has been positioned near the platform to give additional interest to the families on board the special. It’s another fascinating machine from the old days!
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) leads the return leg of the first SANTA EXPRESS into Bishops Lydeard station on 12th December 2020, passing a Traction Engine. Webcam image (c) by Railcam UK and the WSR.
CONGRATULATIONS to the WSR and all of the volunteers from so many support groups within the “WSR family” who have worked so hard to re-open the railway and bring revenue-earning trains back again. Great job !
Thanks again to Railcam UK and the WSR for installing and operating these webcams. They really do help us all keep in touch with what is going on at the WSR. Links to the Railcams can be found on the wsr.org.uk website and are also provided below:
DEPG LOCO WORKINGS: As reported last week, D6575 was in use for crew training purposes, creating some rare and welcomed photo opportunities. The image below was captured by well-known photographer, author and journalist Peter Nicholson and we are grateful to him for sharing this with us:
Class 33 D6575 (33 057) runs around its train at Williton on 5th December 2020. Photo by Peter Nicholson (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
As stated earlier, the ‘Cromptons’ will be supporting the first SANTA EXPRESS workings of each operating day, departing BL at 1100 for Williton (WN) and departing WN at 1150 to arrive back at BL at 1222. Some seats are still available on these special workings, so go to the WSR events website for more details.
For advance notification of DEPG diesel loco workings, join the DIESELGENmailing list.
No update about the status of our fleet this week – this is because our focus continues to be on the Old Goods Shed, so all other work has had to be suspended for the time being.
Many thanks to all of our volunteers for working in cold and wet conditions to get these tasks done !
Have you signed up to our weekly news ROUNDUP e-bulletin? Get this news and more sent to your email box every weekend. To sign up, email ROUNDUP ADD to contact@depg.org
Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) stands in the snow at Williton yard on 18th March 2018. Photo by Graham Perry (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
Our Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) is going to be in action on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th December in support of the WSR’s “Santa Express” workings between Bishops Lydeard (BL) and Williton (WN).
The “Santa Express” is steam-hauled but the Covid-19 precautions have introduced a strict requirement for all services to run to time, to ensure that the guests from one service are clear of the station before the guests for the next service arrive.
D6575 will be coupled up to the rear of the train on departure from BL to provide assistance on the climbs to Crowcombe Heathfield. This will be a risk mitigation measure to ensure good timekeeping on the first service of the day, when railhead conditions could be at their worst. The diesel will come off when the train returns to BL and will spend the rest of the day on shed at BL, on standby.
It is great to see revenue-earning services re-commence on the WSR and we all hope that they will be a great success and provide plenty of seasonal enjoyment to the many guests that have pre-booked. Many thanks to all of the volunteers from so many organisations in the WSR family and all of the WSR staff who have been involved in making this return to service a reality. Have a happy Christmas !
The booked movements (steam and diesel) are:
1100 BL arriving WN 1135
1150 WN arriving BL 1222
Note that services may leave BL early if all of the pre-booked guests are on board.
The remaining steam-hauled (unassisted) services are:
1345 BL arriving WN 1420
1440 WN arriving BL 1512
and
1630 BL arriving WN 1705
1725 WN arriving BL 1757
Please note that the stations are closed to the public (except where pre-booked) and trespassing is not allowed. During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the best way to view these workings is via the webcams at BL and WN.
Work continues on the emptying of the Old Goods Shed to allow for the scaffolding to be erected next week. We are very grateful for the assistance of WSR Infrastructure team member Matt Brewer and the WSR Road-Rail Vehicle to help with the heavy lifting of significant structures of our Class 14 number D9518, all of which have to move elsewhere in our yard until the building is repaired. The RRV is seen in the following webcam capture, with some of the Class 14 structural parts on the move, while BR(W) 4-6-0 No 7828 “ODNEY MANOR” stands at Platform 2 with a crew training special:
In addition to the large items, there are hundreds of small items, all of which need to be relocated. The DEPG will not be able to access the building for some considerable time as the repairs depend on a significant amount of fund-raising, so the priority at the moment is to make the building safe and prevent further deterioration. Read more about the 158-year-old Grade II listed Old Goods Shed at Williton by clicking here.
Here’s another webcam image showing the RRV lifting the bonnet of Class 14 D9518 before taking it to a safe and covered location on the DEPG’s “LOWMAC” wagon:
Many thanks to our volunteers for working so hard to make the building accessible for the RRV and for their tireless work on the removal and relocation of the hundreds of items. Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for installing and operating these webcams.
DEPG LOCO WORKINGS: Today, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was used on crew refresher training workings between Bishops Lydeard and Williton. More training services are running tomorrow, but steam only, using WSR 4-6-0 No. 7828 “ODNEY MANOR”. These training services can be viewed from the webcams when they are departing from Bishops Lydeard and when “running round” at Williton. For advance notification of DEPG diesel loco workings, join the DIESELGENmailing list.
Thanks again to Railcam UK and the WSR for installing and operating these webcams. They really do help us all keep in touch with what is going on at the WSR. Links to the Railcams can be found on the wsr.ork.uk website and are also provided below:
No update about the status of our fleet this week – this is because our focus has to be on the Old Goods Shed so all other work has been suspended. Normal activities will resume next week with a focus on the completion of the work on 47077.
Many thanks to all of our volunteers for working in cold and wet conditions to get these tasks done !
Have you signed up to our weekly news ROUNDUP e-bulletin? Get this news and more sent to your email box every weekend. To sign up, email ROUNDUP ADD to contact@depg.org
Our Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) is going to be in action on Saturday 5th December on crew refresher training special workings between Bishops Lydeard (BL) and Williton (WN).
The booked movements are:
0900 BL arriving WN 0937
1005 WN arriving BL 1045
1250 BL arriving WN 1329
1400 WN arriving BL 1440
Please note that the stations are closed and trespassing is not allowed. During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the best way to view these workings is via the webcams at BL and WN.
D6575 positioned over the pit at Westridge Shed, Bishops Lydeard, on 2nd November 2020. Sister D6566 and Class 09 D4107 also in attendance. Photo by Martin Howard. (c) CC BY-NC 3.0
Our Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) is going to be in action on Thursday 03 December 2020 on an Engineering train. The detailed timings have not been released but the loco is due off shed from Williton at 0930.
The planned movements are from Williton (WN) to Stogumber (SR) then returning to WN then to Norton Fitzwarren (NF) then to Bishops Lydeard (BL).
At BL, D6575 will swap with D6566.
D6566 will then return to WN light engine.
Please note that the stations are closed and trespassing is not allowed. During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the best way to view these workings is via the webcams at BL and WN.
The survey of the roof of the Old Goods Shed at Williton has been completed and the results are disappointing. The slate roof tiles have apparently become porous over the years and this has led to deterioration and weakening of the underlying structure. As a result of this, we must vacate the building until structural repairs are completed, meaning that we have to remove all of our artefacts and find safe places in which to store them.
Our Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 will now have to spend the winter outside, unless some other arrangements can be made. The above photo from Class 14 team member Terry Deacon shows the loco in splendid condition, standing outside the Old Goods Shed last Saturday, along with ‘Hymek’ D7017 and ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057).
On the day of the inspection, 25th November 2020, DEPG Chairman Martin Howard provided a photo of the Road-Rail-Vehicle-mounted Elevated Work Platform that allowed Andrew Young and the WSR Civil Engineering team to inspect the inside of roof and the supporting structure.
The next step will be a meeting between the WSR and the DEPG to determine the way forward and decide upon the strategy for raising the multiple-six-figure sum that will be required to allow work to proceed on this 158-year-old Grade II listed building. Read more about the Old Goods Shed at Williton by clicking here.
Many thanks to our volunteers for working so hard to make the building accessible for the RRV EWP and for their work since the inspection, on the removal of the hundreds of smaller artefacts.
DEPG LOCO WORKINGS: Yesterday, Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) was used on crew refresher training workings between Bishops Lydeard and Williton, during which several of the WSR drivers renewed their Class 33 “tickets”. More training services are running today, but steam only, using WSR 2-6-0 ‘Mogul’ No. 9351. These training services can be viewed from the webcams when they are departing from Bishops Lydeard and when “running round” at Williton. For advance notification of DEPG diesel loco workings, join the DIESELGENmailing list, details as below:
Thanks again to Railcam UK and the WSR for installing and operating these webcams. They really do help us all keep in touch with what is going on at the WSR. Links to the Railcams can be found on the wsr.ork.uk website:
Moving on to an update about the status of our fleet:
D1010: Work has been suspended for the duration of the lockdown.
D6566 and D6575: D6566 has been in use during this week and D6575 remains on standby at Williton.
D7017 and D7018: Work has been suspended for the duration of the lockdown.
D9518: Work has been suspended for the duration of the lockdown.
D9526: This loco has now been moved outdoors and needs to be prepared for the winter by providing protection from the worst of the elements. Although D6575 has to be kept outdoors and “at the ready”, the fact that she gets used is very helpful toward arresting deterioration. Her stablemates D1010 and D7017 are destined to be static outdoors through the winter and they are already partly covered by tarpaulins. Additional covered accommodation for all heritage assets remains a long-term goal of both the DEPG and the WSR.
47077: No change from last week due to the priority being placed on clearing the Old Goods Shed.
The DEPG depot at Williton is classed as a workplace and is maintained Covid-safe as per Government guidelines. Work will only take place if deemed essential by the Board and our volunteers will only attend if it is necessary to do so.
This service has been in use by the DEPG for a while and has already generated a useful contribution to funds. This service differs from Easyfundraisingby also providing donations when you are shopping in-store and when topping up store cards, so it is well worth considering.
It is very important to make sure that, after registering, you START your shopping from the charitable giving site to make sure that your purchases count.
Class 33 D6566 waits at Bishops Lydeard on a crew refresher training special working on 21NOV20. Image captured from the Bishops Lydeard webcam courtesy of Railcam UK and the WSR (c) Railcam-UK Ltd and WSR plc 2020
Please note that our Class 33 ‘Crompton’ D6566 (33 048) is going to be in action tomorrow (Friday 27 November) on crew refresher training special workings between Bishops Lydeard (BL) and Williton (WN). The booked movements are:
0900 BL arriving WN 0937
1005 WN arriving BL 1045
1250 BL arriving WN 1329
1400 WN arriving BL 1440
Please note that the stations are closed and trespassing is not allowed. During lockdown, the best way to view these workings is via the webcams at BL and WN.
Originally established as a means of keeping our active volunteers up to date with what was going on at Williton Depot, the “roundup” was expanded during Lockdown 1.0 by including items of interest such as “on shed” photos from past and present, along with book reviews and WSR news.
The circulation was also expanded beyond volunteers to all DEPG members for whom we held email addresses, then all DEPG supporters, then for anyone else who wanted to join the list!
We now reach almost 200 people with a page of news EVERY WEEK.
To join the mailing list, email contact@depg.org with the subject ROUNDUP ADD.
In the unlikely event of you wanting to be removed from the list, make the subject “ROUNDUP CANCEL”.
If you have previously signed up for “roundup” but are not receiving it every week, it is probably due to some ISPs deciding that it is spam – which it most certainly is not! Let me know if you don’t receive it every week – because it is sent out every week for sure.
Here follows an example of the roundup, as published on Saturday 21st November 2020:
Hello all,
Work continues at Williton depot to make preparations for a survey that has to be conducted to assess the safety of the roof of the Old Goods Shed. Our lovingly restored Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear’ D9526 has had to be woken from hibernation and moved outside the shed for one week to allow access for the elevated working platforms.
The attached capture from the Williton webcam shows the gleaming loco in a line with ‘Hymek’ D7017 and ‘Crompton’ D6575 (a hopper wagon is sandwiched between the two ‘Type 3s’). Many thanks to Railcam UK and the WSR for providing the webcam service from which this image was captured.
We have since been advised that it was in fact D9551. DEPG member and Class 14 team leader Simon Purvis reports:
“D9551 was a long term resident on the WSR, being bought from Corby steel works in 1981, arriving on the WSR 6/6/81. She worked until 1999, and was sold by the WSR in 2000 to the Royal Deeside Railway in Scotland. From there, she was sold in 2013 to a group on the Severn Valley Railway and has been working there since 2015.”
Many thanks to Simon for this information. He also provided us with the attached photo of D9551 wearing “Golden Ochre” livery. This photo was taken at Bridgnorth on the SVR on 16th August 2018, and shows DEPG Class 14 team member Terry Deacon doing some checks on the Paxman engine prior to startup.
The fourth photo shows D9551 leading D9526 as it runs around it’s train at Minehead in the Autumn of 1983. Thanks to Ian Grady and wsr.org.uk for the photograph.
On Friday 20th November 2020, ‘Crompton’ D6575 (33 057) was in action, hauling a coach from Williton to Minehead for maintenance, and returning with the WSR’s Class 115 DMU which is now stabled in the North Yard at Williton. The webcam image below shows the ’33’ doing the ‘DMU drag’ and slowing for the token exchange at Blue Anchor signalbox.
On Saturday 21st November 2020, sister D6566 (33 048) was used on crew refresher training workings between Bishops Lydeard and Williton, during which DEPG members and drivers Robin Fisher, Paul Fleet and Neil McCannon renewed their Class 33 tickets under the watchful eye of Traction Inspector John Leach.
Thanks again to Railcam UK and the WSR for installing and operating these webcams. They really do help us all keep in touch with what is going on at the WSR. Links to the Railcams can be found on the wsr.ork.uk website:
D9518: Work has been suspended for the duration of the lockdown.
D9526: This loco has now been moved outdoors but this is only a temporary move while the surveying of the Old Goods Shed takes place. The loco will move back in the shed after the surveying is completed, because there will be a length delay while the required work is put out to tender, and then a further wait for contractors that are qualified to work on this Grade II listed building.
The DEPG depot at Williton is classed as a workplace and is maintained Covid-safe as per Government guidelines. Work will only take place if deemed essential by the Board and our volunteers will only attend if it is necessary to do so.
BOOK REVIEW – This week, our attention has been drawn to another brand new book, this time by Steve Ireland and titled “THE WESTERN REGION in the 1970s – A Decade of Standardisation“. We look forward to hearing from those of you who have obtained a copy of this book and we look forward to sharing your reading experience.
ISBN: 9781912695386 – “THE WESTERN REGION in the 1970s – A Decade of Standardisation” by Steve Ireland, published by Visions International on 18NOV20.
NOTE: A CLARIFICATION about Amazon Smile
As we have stated previously, the DEPG has registered with Amazon Smile. It is not entirely obvious how to start shopping with this option activated, but search on Amazon Smile and there will be a page where you can sign up. Alternatively, use this link:
Select The DEPG as your nominated charity. Amazon will make a charitable donation of 0.5% of the value of every eligible purchase that you make (eligibility is shown on every purchase page). This may sound small, but it all adds up and there is no cost to you, BUT YOU MUST START YOUR SHOPPING SESSION FROM smile.amazon.co.uk or else your purchases won’t count.
The attached image pops up when the link to the DEPG has been made (there is no need to install the Amazon Assistant, but that’s your choice). Please consider starting your Amazon shopping via smile.smazon.co.uk whenever you buy ANYTHING from Amazon. Thanks !
ON SHED: This week, we feature a photo that has been provided by Mike Cale via Paul Mear, showing a pair of Westerns arriving at Newport station, heading in the Cardiff direction, thought to be in 1968. Several things are interesting here. The use of two locos, the very long train with at least 13 vehicles in the photo (and probably more out of the photo) and the train destination boards that are hanging on the middle doors of the Mk II stock. Thanks to Mike and Paul for sharing this image with us. Can anyone provide any detailed information? Can we identify the photographer so that we can credit him/her ?
Double-headed “WESTERNS” at Newport, thought to be in 1968, photographer not yet established.
DEPG NEWS: We have now registered for “Easyfundraising” (an online shopping-based donation scheme that is similar to Amazon Smile) and the instructions are very similar to those for Amazon Smile. Here’s the link to get you started, then the same rule applies – start your shopping session from easyfundraising then go the shopping sites that you would have gone to anyhow.
There is an option to install an “assistant”, but this is not a requirement and such tools have been known to put additional load on your device, so you may choose to ignore it or install it on a trial basis and see what happens.
We have already applied to be registered on the direct fundraising site “JustGiving” and as soon as our application has been validated, we will post an appeal for fundraising to keep our most important projects moving along. These fund raising options will also be posted to our website and social media channels. Let’s see what we can all do together, to keep funds flowing and make sure that our locos are available for service at home on the WSR and on visits to other railways next year.
Also, we are taking orders for DEPG branded merchandise including a new A3 “landscape” format calendar for 2021, along with some good quality clothing items – see our flyer for details.
DEPG WEBSITE: We have changed the “theme” or template of the site to make better use of widescreens and to automatically re-format into a compressed mode on small screens. There are some useful new features in the new theme, such as a menu at the bottom of each page that automatically includes newly added pages. We have appointed four more people as authors and editors to increase the flow of new or updated material and we continue to improve the structure and accessibility of the site. Keep viewing the site to see what is changing. Thanks!
WSR NEWS: The WSR are fully intent on re-opening in December and have adjusted their Christmas timetable to allow some time between the end of Lockdown 2.0 and the start of the festive service. For details, go to the WSR site below:
